Washing machine



Feb. 2,1926. 4 1,571,887

- E. c. REUTLINGER WASHING MACHINE F i1ed April 9, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvemor. 4 Emile C. Reuflinger Aflys.

Feb. 2 [925. v

E. c. REUTLINGER WASHING momma 2 Sheets-Shed 2 Filed April 9, 1923 n n n rlllfl Ylllllllll,

Inv emor: Emile .C. Reuflinger byWWkW At Tys Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED sures EMILE c. nnnrmivenn, or Bos'roN, MASSACHUSETTS.

wasrrrive MACHINE.

7 Application filed April 9, 1923. Serial No. 680,680.

" To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILE :C. RnU'rLiNenn, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, and a resident of Boston; county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in ashing Machines; ot which the following description, in conned tion' with the accompanying drawi11g,-.is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines and the general object thereof is to provide a washing machine which is more economical and elfic-ient in op eration than those which have'heretotore been produced.

More particularly the invention relates to washing n'iaohines-having a reciprocable dasher provided with means preferably suction cups, for engaging the clothes which are adapted to press the clothes during the movement of the'dasher in one direction and to loosen up the clothes as the dasher moves in the opposite direction.-

In washingmachines of this type the dasher head is usually moved from aposition above the level of the water in the tub to a position in proximity to the base of the tub. The buoyancy of the water tends normally to raise the dash-er so that a greater force is required to remove the dasher from the water than during its immersion in the water. 7 i v One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for raising the dasher which will apply a force correlated to the resistance or weight of the-dashenlonversely, when the dasheifis depressed and particularly when it eng' ges the clothes in the tub 'a greater esistance is offered during its preliminarymovement.

Another objectof the invention is to pro vide means which will. exert a progressively increasing force upon the dasher during its downward movement.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a washing machine of the character above described with asingle-acting tiuid motor for movingthe dasherpin one direction. preferably in the direction toraise the dasher. By employing. a single'acting fluid motor of this character the amount of fluid required to operate the machineis greatly'decreased over that whichis required in the usual double-acting motors.

A further object of the invention is to provide leverage mechanism operable by a single-acting motor which will multiply the leverage required to raise the dasher in' correlation to the weight or resistance of the dasher during the elevating movement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine'having a singleacting fluidsactuated motor for moving the dash-er in one direction with spring-actuated means acting progressively to'increase the force applied to the dasher when moved in the opposite direction. i p

A further object of the invention is to provide a single-acting fluid-actuated'inotor with valve mechanism controlled by the movement of the dasher in such a manner that. the valves will'be actuated only as the dasher approaches the upward and down ward limits of its movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid-actuated motor for a washing machine with novel valve-actuated mechanism capable of permitting the exhaust valve to close in advance of the opening of the inlet valve whereby a saving of water may be effected. 1

i A further object of the invention is to provide a fluid-actuated motor of the character described with means acting upon theexhaust tromthe motor to control the-speed of the motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a washing machine of the character described with a fluid-actuated motor in which the cylinder and piston may be removed and replaced so that'difierentsizes of cylinders and, pistons may be employed f for different water pressures.

A further O'lflet't of the invention is to provide means for rotating the dashers 1ntermittently but notpositively, preferably,

but not necessarily, in asinglc direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for imparting a rotative movement to the dasher head including a frictional instrumentality capable oli permitting slippage it substantial resistance is imposed against the rotative movement of the head.

A further object of the invention is to rovide novel means for rotating said head including a frictional instrumentality which is only operable to rotate the head during the reciprocating movement of the dasher.

A further object of the invention is to provide independently yieldable supporting means for suction cups forming a part of the dasher head.

A further object of the invention to provide a washing machine having: a. fluidactuated motor which is so arranged that the mechanism is never on a dead center and can, therefore, always be readily started.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear 'trom the -tollowinp; description and the accompanyinp d airings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodii'nent is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. in which,

Fig. l is a side elevation ot a washing ma chine, emljiodying the invention, set upon a tub which is shown in section a portion of the dashcr head being broken away and shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view. mainly in vertical section. of a rn'ctcrrcl'l single action motor oi the type illustrated in Fin. 1;

Fig. I3 is a detail view, mainly in vertical ii cctioni through tlltt dashcr head illustrating the means tor imparting: relative movement thereto. the suction cups ot said head being omitted:

Fig. l is a detail view in vertical section ot the end ol' the valve casino; oi the motor, showing in section a cylinder ot larc'o diameter secured to said casiivc adapted to he used upon fluid systems having: low prcssures and showing: in dotted lines a cylinder t smaller diameter adapted to he substituteiil when the motor is coimccled to high pressure systems.

The washing machine is illustrz'ited in Fig. 'l as being; mounted upon a tub having a bottom 1 and vertical sides 2 which may he ot the usual type which are tound in laundri s and kitchens. The washing nuich ne comprises a casing having sides 3 and a top :l:

and ends 5 which preferably are made ol' cast metal and prodded with a removable cover not shown. The lower ends of the sides 5 desirably are provided vith inturmid flanges 6 to which are secured blocks 7 having dovetail grooves to receive arms 8 of brackets 9 provided with bifurcated ends 10 adapted to embrace the walls 2- ot the tub. lhcsc bifurcated ends may he provided with tasici'iing devices for securing the same to the tub, but preferably are ot sutiicicnt length to enable the entire machine to he raised. it the dashers encounter an undue obstruction which would be likely to injure the mechanism of the washing machine.

The dasher ot the washing machine comprises a preferably vertical dasher bar ll having at its lower end a rotatable head which as shown comprises a plate or spiifler 153 which carries a plu'ality of plungers preferably in the term of suction cups 13.

In the preferred construction disclosed herein the dashcr is given a vertically reciprocating movement, being raised by a single acting pump which operates upon said dasher through a leverage system which acts with increasing leverage as the dashev is raised. The downward movement; ot' the dasher may be produced by gravity alone, but preferably resilient means are employed which act with pregressivel y increasing force upon the dasher during its downward miwemcnt. In the particular mechanisnn illustrated the upper end of the dasher bar 11 is connected to the lower end o'l. a tlexihlc member or chain let, the upper end oit which passes around, or as shown is connectml to a rotatable member 15 having a cam face 16 which engages the flexible member l-st. The same or preferably another flexible member or chain 17 passes over another cam surface upon the rotatable member 15 and is connected at its opposite end to the arm '18 ot a hell crank lever the end o l which arm is provided with :1 'am surtacc 19 likewise adapted to engage the flexible member or chain. 17.

The bell crnnli lever is pivoted upon a l lul Eltl (.llt'lltlltlgl inwardly 'l'rom the side ll of the casing and the other arm ot' the hell crank lever preferably is provided with a V--shaped notch ill to receive a knife edge 39, upon the end of the piston rod 533 ot" the singzlc actiug tluid-iu'tiuitcd motor.

The piston head which is (.Ullllit'tttl to the piston rod 522). may he ot any suitabl charactor but preferably coumriscs a r ip-shapcd rlcvicc ol' tlcxiblc material (scc l iu. it) c amped between collars .lfi and iZt' which. are secured upon the reduced cud :2? ol the piston rod by a suitable nut 28" The piston head is rceiprocably mounted in a cylinder fill which may he ol" liltlhrh steel. or other suitable material. and is provided with a inccli 30 having a screw threaded outer wall by means of which it is connected to a valve casing ill. liy reason ol this constructimi the cylinder, the piston and its rod can readily be removed and a la rpger or smaller cylinder and piston substituted therefor in accordance with the fluid pressure ot' the system to which the motor is attached.

It will be umlcrstood that fluid motors ot this type are usually actuated by the water upon thiusual systems which are installed ltlfi llt) lll?

lfltl lllll in houses and as the pressure in the various water systems varies greatly it is desirable that a suitable piston and cylinder may be employed to operate properly upon the pressure present in the pipes of the laundry or kitchen in which the washing machine is installed. This feature, therefore, of pro viding replaceable cylinders and pistons is of great importance in order to obtainthe proper operation of the machine and also in order to enable ready repair and replacement of the cylinder orpiston when either becomes worn.

Any suitable valve mechanism may be employed for controlling the supply and exhaust of the fluid to the motor, but preferably a special mechanism is provided as will hereinafter be more fully described. J

In the operation of the device the buoyancy of the watertends normally to raise the dasher so that less power is required to elevate it while it is submerged thantha-t which is required to raise it afterward particularly where the head oftlie dasher-is provided with suction cups which-enclose a consider-- able amount of water. By properly propo-rtioning .the lever arms 21 and '18 of the bell crank lever and properly designing the @cams 19, 17 and 16 of the rotatable member 15 practically the same'fluid pressure force upon the piston will exert a varying lifting power upon the dasher. thus requiring a mininiui'n amount of fluid pressure to actuate the dasher.

It is desirable that thevalvesactuating.

mechanisn'i for the single-acting fluid-operated motor shall beso' designed that :the inlet and exhaust valves will be opened andclosed respectively only as the dasher approaches .the limit of its "stroke. One of theii'eatures or the, present invention relates to novel valve mechanism which is controlled by the movement oilf 'the dasher to effect this purpose. I

ln thepreferred construction disclosed herein the valve casing 31' comprises a cylindrical inlet section 32 and a cylindrical outlet section 33 extending at rightangles to said inlet section. The inlet conduit 34 is connected by a suitable union to the inlet section ol the valve casing, anannular llange 35 of a valve cage or guide 36 being clamped between thefabutting ends of the inlet conduit and the inlet of the valve casing. The inlet :end of the valve casing desirably is provided witlran inwardly extending rib 37 which forms a seat for a gasketSS which forms the valve seat. The inlet valve 39 desirably is of conoidal form having a flat base adaptedto engage the valve seat 38. Thevalve 39 -is screw threaded upon the end of a valve stem 40 and is secured thereupon by a suitable'nnt.

engages the base of the valve 51.

a bell crank lever. one arm l2 otwhich is mounted upon a pivot 43 upon a block which is located in a downward extension'or nipple 45 upon the valve casing'and is se cured in place by a cap l6 screwed upon said nipple. The other arm 47 ol the bell crank lever provided with a downward extension l8 which is connected by a pivot -19 to the lower end of the valve stem 50 of the exhaust valve.

The exhaust valve 51 desirably is of'conoidal form and provided with a flat face adapted to engage a valve seat 52 which is clamped between a shoulder upon amin wardly projecting .ribol the outlet section and the abutting end of an outlet conduit 53 which is secured to the casing by a collar having an inwardly extending flange engaging a complementary flange upon the outlet conduit and' which isalso provided with internal screw threads engaging externalscrew threads upon the outl'et'section 33 V oi -the valve casing.

The exhaust valve 51 desirably is slidably mounted, a reduced portion 55 of the'valve stem and collar 56, which is located at a short distance from the normal position of the base of the outlet valve when closed, serving to engage the valve upon downward n'iovement of the valve stem 55 to force the valve from its seal. V 7

As illustrated in the present construction the inlet valve is in open position with the piston ready to travel upon its working stroke. W hen thc piston has approximately reached the end of its working stroke the exhaust valve stein is torced downwardly by mechanism which will hereinafter be de- ',scribed, thus first moviug'the inlet valve 39 towards closed position be'iorethe collar 56 Further movement will cause the complete closing of the inlet valveSQ and opening of the exhaust valve. 51. 'The weight of the dashei'. and in the specitic construction illustrated herein also the action of the spring, will then forcethe piston toward the valve casin thereby causing the fluid to flow from the motor through the exhaust port, the outlet conduit 53'to the waste conduit 57 until the piston has approached the limit ofits exhaust stroke, whereupon the valve-actuating inechanisn'i hereinafter described will be actuated by the movement of the dasher to raise the stem 550i the exhaust valve. As soon as the valve stem tifibegins its upward movement the. exhaust valve is raised by the water pressure to close the exhaust port, by

reason of thetact that the exhaust valve 51 i is slidably mounted upon its stem; consequently,the exhaustvalve will becloscd betorethe inletvalve is forced any consider abledistance from its seat.- By reason of this construction, therefore, a considerable saving of the fluid or water isattained.

A further 'liature ol' the invention eoneiets in providing means for regulntiiig the speed of the motor by controlling the flow 3E iluid through the outlet. lhe preferred nieehanisn'i illustrated in the accompanying drawings "for aeeoniplishiiug; this purpose eoinpris-res a nipple 58 which is Screwed upon the end oi the waste or discharge pipe 5? and in 1HfOYl'vl8t'l with a eoiuluit having; a preile ahl v eonieal end (it) adapted to seat upon a eoinplelnenl'ar v conical "all til in the end of the disehar 'e pipe :37, the conduit f ll heine; seeiued fully to the nipple 58. The end of the conduit 59 um he pro vided with a small aperture and with large apertures through its ('vliudrienl walls. the small aperture permitting a. venv slow llow oi l'luid when the end ill) oi the conduit seated against the inelined wall (ii and the large apertures permitting; a "free flow of such lluid an escapee hetween the end (it) of the conduit 59 and the wall (ll when the nipple i8 is adjusted to a position to permit more or less flow oi the water from the JUOi'Ol. ll turning the nipple 58 the die-- ehei'nje area between the head 0 of the eonduit 5i) and the wall (ll nni he regulate-ll to impose more or lens haelc pressure upon the inoto' and therel v to regulate its speed oi? action so that the motor me he readily controlled either to reciprocate at. :1. rapid rate as is usual in the o 'ieration oi? washing nnu-hinen, or :it a very slow rate where deliezite :l'ahi'iee. such an lanes, are l tlil ii' lliftllliFQkl. lfliiis the washing inaehine can he readily controlled to operate upon any ohai'ai-tei' oi material.

,ln ahove stated the opei'ntion ot the inlet and exhaust valves il'oi' the motor desii'ahly are euntrolled hv the movement of the daeher.

in the pi'ei'eri'wli mechanism illustrated in the aeeoiupunviiur; drawings; means, open ahle hy the danhei'. are provided to permit iguieli opening and eloniuo' movements of the inlet and exhaust valves no that the valves are :urtuated only when the dneher in approaching the liniitn of its elrolv'e.

As illustrated the upper end of the em haunt valve Sltlil has atlai-hed to it, hv a SLl'iW threaded oonneelion. a head oil which is eonneeled to n reelproviding: inonihei: prelerahlv in the lorni ot a slide til having: a :dot i l; the walla oi" which oinhi'aeo a pivot llfl ol :1 roi-lqei- (iii one end of whii'h in ('onnei-lod n a pivotal stud ($7 to the upper end oi the danher har ll. 'l'he oppoaite end oi the roeher (ill in. provided with a laterally extending: ntud 18 which engages (limb Shaped end portions till and i'el'spei'livelv oi? levers 'i'l and Til which are tulemin'ied at their opposite ende upon studs '73 and T l seated in the side 3 of the casing.

Resilient means are provided for actual ing these levers. In therpreterreil construcrocker 66.

lion the lovers are connected by a. helical tension spring '75 norn'ially tending to force the Cain-shaped ends (59 and 70 into engage ment with the stud (38 upon the end of the rocker. The Sliding; ineinher, llOWOVOl, is provided with a pair oi. lugs T6 and 7'? which engage the respective levers upon the no ward and downward i'novenients of the slide, therehv removing the ends 69 and 70 ot the levers respectively from ei'igageinent with the stud and placing the spring under tension alternately by the upward and (mwnward movement ol' the rocker.

The rocker is also provided with a rigid, preferably integral, downwardly extending plate 78 hnvingj upon it a. ozun 79 having pre'lerahlv areuate parallel :liaees which alternately engage n stud 80 upon an evtension on oil the sliding nieniher 63 and restrain the lllOVillMJli? of the valves until the stud 80 pa en hevond the end ol. the cam thereby preventing movement of the alves until the dnehei: approaches the upward and downward limits of its stroke.

The slide 63 in also provided with lugs 81 end 8i which. will he engaged and actuated hy the arms Ti and T2 when these arms are moved to the upward and downward limits oil their inoven'ient by the lug G8 on the These lugs. therefore, not posh tivel to actuate the slide in the event of sticking of one 01 both of the valves.

In the operation ot the device the down ward movement of the daehei' moves the roehei' on ahout its. pivot (55 raising" its opposite end which carries the stud (38 thereby engaging the emu-shaped end (if) oi the lever 71. and raising; the lever imposing a tension up on the sowing T5. The opposite end of the spring heiun connected to the lever 72 tends to roll; the lever '72 upwm'dly, thereby lifting the lug Ti) upon the slide. Such. upward movement. however. is reeti'ained hy the engagement ot the stud 80 with the un der 'iu'e of the mo 7i) upon the extension 751' o! the roehor until the downward nioveinont ot' the dasher hue :nviuin' the plate 73 nullieientlv to release the stud 80 from ene'zie'eineul with the cam 75). whereupon the tension oil the spring noting: through the lever 72 and lug Til upon the sliding nnunher with which it is in engagement uuielv'ly raisen the nliile and the valve Stem which in altaohed In it. thus (losing; the relief valve and openiiuig the inlet valve. 'lhe fluid then [lows through the inlet port into the i'yliudei nod. 'l'i'u'c'en the p ston in the o 'iposite direetion (to the right) l'lHll'Qll) actuating the lever iueehaninin to raise the dnsher. When the illlSllQl' appronehoo the limit of its upward movement the rocker 6G is moved in the other direction and the stud (38 upon its end engages the canvshaped end of the lever 72 deprensinir the some and imposing tension upon the spring '75 thereby causing the lever llf) 71 to press downwardly uponthe lug'76. In the meant me the movement of the rocker 66 causes the stud 80 upon :theextension 63* of the slide to engage the upper surface of the cam 7 9 upon the rocker plate 78, thus restraining thedownward movement of they sliding member until the dasher approaches the upward limit of its stroke, whereupon the stud '80 rides over the end of the cam 7 9. and the tension of the spring. acting through the lever '71 upon the stud on the sliding member, forces the sliding member dow wardly, thereby depressing the piston stem 55, opening the outlet valve 51 and closing theinlet valve a0. It will be remembered that the outlet valve 51 is loosely mounted upon a stem and operates during the upward movement of the valve stem 55 to'close the outlet port before the inlet valve fully opened, thereby effecting the saving of the j fluid which operates the motor.

-..It has been stated that the single-acting motor operates to move the dasher in one direction only which, as llustrated herein,

is in the upward direction. The downward movement of the daslier may be caused by gravity alone,- but preferably means are provided foriinposing a progressively increasing force upon, the daslier as it descends that when the dasher is engaged first by the water in the tub and afterwards by the mate'- rials being cleansed, a greater force can be imposed upon the dasher substantially lII' proportionto the resistance which is enrountered bythe daslier.

Preferably this is accomplished by resilient. means which acts progressively upon the daslier with increasing leverage during its descent and conversely acts upon the dasher with decreasing leverage tllll'lllglis ascent.

In the preferred :onstruction illustrated a lever 82 is fulcrumed upon a stud 83Jcarried by a bracket 84; extending downwardly from the .side 3 of the casing. The opposite end of the lever .82 is pivotally connected.

by a stud 85 to the dasher bar 11 The lever 82 is provided intermediate of its ends with an upwardly extending arm 86 preterably lying in the plane of or parallel to the lever 82. .Preferably the lever 82 is in the form of two parallel connected plates which extend upon opposite sides of the cylinder 29. The arms 86 of the lever are provided with V-shaped, upper ends forming knife edges 87 which engage the angles of V- shaped end portions 88 of a yoke 89' having a cylindrical stem 90 which isteles'copically mounted in a cylindrical member .91 which is pivotally mounted at its'upper end upon a stud 92 projecting from the side 3 of the casing. A helical compression spring 93 is interposed between the collar 94 upon the upper end of the ycylindrical member '91 and the shoulder 95 presented by the upper walls of the yoke 89.

Dinning. the operation of the device the raising and lowering of the dasher rocks the lever 82 about its fulcrum 83 thereby cans.

ing the V-shaped upper end of the arm or arms 86 to move through an arcuate path from substantially the fullline position i1- lustrated in Fig. l to the dotted line position so that during the upward movement of the dasher the efi'eotive leverage applied by thespringnctuated instrumentallty to the lever 82 is progressively lessened and conversely during the downward movement of the dasher the effective leverage applied by the spring-actuated instrumentality to the lever 82 is progressively increased. Thus by the leverage mechanism which connects the pis tonrod 23 to the dasher the power applied to the dasher upon its upward inovement is correlated to the resistance of the dasher as it mechanism which will open toperinit the escape of air and water from the Q3 cups during 'he downward.movement of the dasher and which will close-during the up ti on war-d movement of the dasher. V

A further feature of the invention coin sists in so mounting the suction cups of the dasher head that they inay yield independently upon engagement with undue obstruction as from a bunch of clothes, and a further feature of the invention consists in providing a novel mechanism for causing inter inittentybut not positive, rotation of the cups either in one directionv or alternately in opposite directions during the recim'oeatiiig movement-of the dasher.

In the particular construction illustrated herein the lower end of the daslier bar 11 is provided with a lateral extension 96to which a downwardly extending shaft 97 i secured.

ineferablyhy a cylindrical extension 98 of less diameter than the shaftwhich projects upwardly through the dasher bar extension 96 and is riveted'at its upper end. the shoulder between the extension 98 and the shaft 97 abutting against the under face of the extension 96 of the dasher bar. A, sleeve 99is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 9'? and desirably is'provided with an upwardly extending enlarged toothed upper end 109 which engages complementary teeth upon a sector 101 fixedly secured upon the end of the arm 82.

The daeher head comprises a spider 102 preferably having radially extending: channel-shaped arms 103 and provided with a hub 10% having an enlarged flange .105. A plate 100, having a hub provided with an angular recess titted upon a complementary angular extension 107, is supported upon a retaining plate 108 which is secured to the shaft 07 by a screw 100. The plate 100 is provided with an annular flange 110 com plei'nentary to the flange 10:) oi the spider 102 and a friction dielc 111, prelerablv oi librous material, is interpo:.-:ed between the thinned portion oi the spider and the flanged portion of the plate 101$, a slight clearance being provided which will permit rotation 01 the spider it p1 ssure is not inu ioced upon it, but when pressure is imposed upon the spider by the movements 01 the dasher the flange portion oi the spider will enc'ap e the friction disk with sutiiciei'lt Force to clamp it upon the flanged portion of the plate 106 and thereby cause it to be rotated by the rotation of the sleeve 99.

While the frictional mechaniem is illus trated in the present construction as being; located below the sleeve it will be readily understood that by a suitable u'iodilication it may be located above the rotatable sleeve or otherwise, to produce rotation at the head during the downward movement of the plunger instead of the upward movement, or if desired "friction devices may be so located as to produce a non-poaitive oscillatory movement 01 the plunger.

Suitable plungers or suction cups may be secured to the spider 102 in any suitable manner. As illustrated herein means are provided for peri'nitting the planners or auction cups to yield upwardly independently. As illustrated herein arms 112 are :t'ulcrumed upon studs 11 which are lixedlv secured in flanges 11%1 of the spider arms and each arm 112 is connected at its outer end to a bell-shaped sheet metal member 115 by a bolt 116 having a head engaging the upper lace of the arm and provided with a nut 11? engaging the under face of the hellshaped sheet metal members 115. The bolt 116 extends downwardly some distance and is provided with a section 118 of eun'dler diameter upon which a circular alve plate 119 is secured by a nut 120. The periplun'y ot the valve plate 119 desiraoly provided with a libroua covering 121 such as usually used to insure proper engigement at the valve with its aeai. l lac-a of the suction cups i3 is ot bell shape, the upper end being" ot a lesser diameter than the diameter ol thc hell shaped member 1153 and provided with an inwardly extending l'laneje 122 which overlies the periphery ot the valve plate 11%} a considerable distance. The length of the bolt 116 is such that when the dasher is raised the bell-shaped suction member will rest upon the upper surface of the valve 11!) and close the port 123 in the upper portion of the suction member. Thus as the dasher aacende the suction cup will be sealed and retain the water which it; in it until the lower edge of the suction cup is raised above the level of the water in the tub. Upon the downward movement, however, of the dasher the suction cup will be rained by the buoyancy of the water no as to unseat the flange 192 from the valve and thereby permit the air and water to escape through the port I23 during the downward nuwement ot' the dasher.

13y reason of the engagement; of: the toothed periphery 100 of the sleeve with the teeth at the sector .101 which is pivoted upon the daaher the vertical reciprocating; movement of the dasher will oscillate the sector and cause rotative movement of the sleeve 00 lirat in one direction and then in the other. During; the downward movement of the dasher the suction cups will engage the water and will be raised by the buoyancy thereof and in turn will raiee the spider out (it intin'iate contact with the :tric tion d sk 111 so that the sleeve will rotate idly. Upon the upward movement 011' the dashcr, however, the weight oi" the suction cups which are then tilled with water will impose a downwardforce upon the spider which will cause its llange 10:") to clamp down upon the friction disk 111 and force it firmly against the flange 110 of the plate 106 which is secured to the sleeve that the rotative movement of the sleeve, caused by the oscillation of the toothed sector during the movement oi? the dasher in the upward direction. will rotate the spider and the suction cup. It, howeveri the suction cups engage an obstruction, such as av bunch of clothes, sutlicient slip iapge will occur between the spider, the friction disk and the plate to prevent a ny injury to the clothes or undue strain upon the actuazingg mechanism.

As has heretofore been stated, washing inachinea of this type are usually actuated by the tluid pressure of the water in the usual water pipe systen'is ot lions-ea, apartments, etc.. and such prei sure varies through a very wide range from twenty-five pounds or less to one huiulred twentydive pounds or more. It is desirable. there'hire, that the washing machine motor shall be so con structed that a suitably sized piston and cylinder may be employial tor the water pressure which is present in the place in which the machine is to be inetalled.

Another feature of the present invention consists in providing; means by which a cylinder and a piston which are unsuitable to the water pressure in a predetermined andanother cylinder and piston of proper cylinders 7 heretofore describedthe cylinder '29 is proplace may be removed and another cylinder and piston substituted}therefor. This is accomplished in the present construction by providing a plurality'of interchangeable and co-operating. pistons. As

vided witha reduced-end having an exteia nally screw threaded wall which engages the 7 screw.threadedrinnerwall of; the end 31 or the valve casing and can be readily removed.

Likewisefihe QHtlOfftllGldlStOll rod is'pro-' vided with a knife ed 'ewhich en a es the b b b apex of a -V-shaped recess in the end of the By simply unscrewing I the cylinder 29 it can be removed and the,

bell crank arm 91-.

piston rod removed with equal readiness diameter for theplressure or the system substituted. This'is. graphically illustrated in the enlarged detail view Fig.4 in which the cylinder 29 is illustrated. in full lines as being providedflwith an externally screw threaded extension 3O engaging internal screw threads of the extension 31 of the valve cas ng and in dotted 111168 a cylinder 12a of smaller diameter which likewise is provided with anexternally screw threaded extension adapted to fit the screw threaded internal wall of the end 31 or the valve casing; a w I r Suitable means are provided for arresting the action of llllQ ClElSllGl; As illustrated herein the arm 21 of the bell crank lever which is actuated by the piston is provided near its lower end witlra shouldered lug 125 .which is adapted to be engaged by the shoulder 1260f a latch 127 which as 'illustrated is in the form of a. sector pivotally mounted upon a stud. 128 projecting laterally from a. bracket 129011 the end 5 ofthe I casing. The latch 1:27 extends throngha slot iirtlie sectorlvand is provided with a shouldered. extension 130 whichengages the casing 5 when the latch is in looking posi- 11011.. Thev latch also is provided with a lever 1.31. by means of which it may be swung about its pivot outo'f engagement with the sector. This latch isso positioned as to engage the lug 125 just after the piston has made its full stroke and at the time it is starting upon its returner exhaust stroke.

Iii'order to start the machine it is merely necessary to pull the lever -131 over to release the latch'from engagement with the lug 125. Thereupon 1 the weight of the dasher will cause it to descend and as it dethey descend. .During this movement the piston'rod 23 will move (to the left), in

such amanner as to force the piston to--- wards the head of the cylinder. Durii'igthe descent of the piston the toothed sector 101 will rotate the sleeve 99 in one direction, but the head will beraised by the buoyancy it the water so thatno substantial rotative movement will be imparted to it during: the downward movement of the plunger. hen the plunger approaches the limit of its downward movement the outlet port and opening the inlet port in the manner above described. lVater will then flow into the cylinder forcing the piston in As the piston is the opposite direction. progressively forced along the cylinder the leverage in'echanisn'i, which connects the rocker 66 will be actuated sut'iiciently to piston rodwiththe dasher, will raise the dasher with a progressively increasing force in correlation to the resistance imposed upon it by the weight of the dasher and the water contained in the suction cups 13 which auton'iatically seat upon the valve 119 as the piston is raised. During the raising; movement of the dasher the spring-actuated instrumentality, which engages the lever 82, is swung progressively toward a position more nearly in alinement with the fulcrum 83 of the lever 82 so that the force of the spring upon the piston is progressively decreased until the limit of upward movement of the piston is reached.

By reason of the'construction above described the mechanism operates in such a manner'that it is never upon a dead center so that the operation will not cease unless arrested by the operator. r v

The speed oi? operation of the machine may be adjusted from a maximum to a minimum by properly adjusting the valve 67 which controls the effective area otth'e outlet port. v

Byreason of the construction above de scribed a washing inachine is provided which will operate at a maximum etficiencv, with a minimum consumption of fluid, and may be controlled to operate at any desired rate of speed.

-In this construction the dasher head can be readily removed by unscrewing the screw 109 thus enabling the washing machine to be readily placed within the tub when no:

in use if the capacity of the tub is not suiticient to permit the washing machine in its assembled position to be placed within the tub. Thus the machine can be readily stored when not in use.

,It will be understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is 01 an illnsl'rative character and is not restriciive and that various modifications in form,

coin-arucrion and arran eni enl: oi parts may be made within the spirit and scope oi? the 5 lollowing claims.

l loving, llms doacribed l'hc invention, wind; is claimed as new, and desired lo be sernrcd bjv' lieliers l avcnl, is:

1. 4k washing machine comprisiiur a reciprocahle dasher, a single-acting fluid moi'or o jairalde lo nave lhe dasher in one dz rec-lion and resilient means acting; lo move (he daahcr in the ()pi h'iSli'L dirccl'i Ll. ii washing machine. comp. inn a reciprocahle dasher a s-iinggu- -ariiu r liuid mo lor opcralde in more ilir dash-er in one di recition and me: is inl'criuedial'e of said moiorand dasher for varying; the force ap plied by the .mol'or lo the dasher during; the mol'ouaclhated lllOVl'lllflit lherroi',

.l. A. washin machine comprising a reciprocable daahen a s asileacliing: iiluid motor operable in move i'he dasher in one direc lion and a lcverapge system intermediate oil said motor and dasher lo varv the force applied luv the moi'or lo the din-finer during ti moloreuriiaa'led movmnenc thereof in ci'n'relaiion lo the resistance imposed upon the motor h the movement of said dasher.

i. ii. vvaalih machine comprising a ver licallv recipr. able dasher and a single-aciinn Fluid inoior operable to raise said dasher ust lhe action oi. gp'avirv and means acliupon the danher to supplementlibc no li n of gravilv upon its downward movemcni'.

5. .r washing machine, comprising: a reciprocable dashcr, a single-acting lluid molor comprising a cylinder and a pislom a bell cranlr lever connected to said piston having a cam-shaped portion, a. flexible member conneclcd lo said bell crank lever operaiivelv engaged by said vam-shi-iped portion, and connected lo said dashen whereby lhe force applied lo the piston by said motor will be varied during: the. molor-a :iuated movement lhereo'ii 1. A, washing machine comprising a reciprocable dasher, a single-ailing fluid motor comprising a c 'linder and a pisl'on, a bell crank lever connected to said pisron having; a cam-shaped DOYlZiOlL a flexible member connecled to said bell crank lever operativel engaged by said cam-shaped portion, a rolalable member having a pluralilv oi cams one ol. which is engage-ill said flexible member and a flexible member connected to said dasher one cine another of said camshaped poi-lions oi? said rotalable member, whereby lbe lorce appl ed to the piston by said motor will be varied during the motoraclual'ed movement thereof.

'7. i i washing machine comprising: a reciprocable dasher, a single-acting fluid motor operable to raise said due-her against he action of gravity and resilient means acting; to push said dasher downwardly with pro gressivelv lncreasmg force.

8. A washing machine comprising a reciprocahle dasher, means for positively 1novinp he dasher in one direction, a lover connected to said dasher and springaictw ated means engaging said lover mounted to act upon said lover progressively al; dill'er cni; ell'ective distances from the fulcrum o'lf said lever during; the IOOlPlOClllllOll of the dasher, whereby The force of the spring applied. to the dasher will be varied in correlation to the resistance imposed upon the dasher. i

i). A washing machine conmrising a reciprorable dasher, means for positively moving the dasher in one direction, a lever connected to said dashcr provided with an arm extending at an angle to the axis of said lever in the plane of its movement, a spring-actuated instruinentality mounted upon a lixed pivot and having means enraging said arm at a distance from the axis of said lever, whereby the line of direction 0 through which the force of the spring is applied to said lever will move toward and from the lulcrrun of said lever during the reciprocation of said dasher.

10. A washing machine comprising a rcciprocable dasher, means for positively moving; the dasher in one direction, a lever connected to said dasher, an arm extending all an angle to the axis of said lover in the plane of its movement and provided with a knife edge, a spring-actuated instrumentality havii'ig one end engaging said knife edge and lhe other end mounted upon a fixed pivot so located that the line of direction through which the force of the, spring is applied to said lever will move toward and from the fulcrum of said lever during the reoi nocai'ion of said dashcr.

11. A washing machine comprising; a rcciprocable dasher, a single-acting l'luid motor operable to move the dasher in one direciion, lever mechanism intermediale or]? said motor and dashor acting to vary the force applied by the motor to the dasher during the motor-actuated n'iovoment thereof in correlation to the resistance 0f the dasher, a lever connected to said dasher provided with an arm extending at an angle to The axis of said lever in the direction of its movemenn a spring-actuated instru; mentality mounted upon a fixed pivot having a free end engaging said arm and movable thereby to cause the effective force of: said spring to lessen during the upward movement of said dasher and to ii'icrease during the downward movement of said dasher whereby the force applied to said dasher will be correlated to the resistance imposed by the dasher upon the fluid motor. 12. A washing machine comprising a vertically reciprocable dasher having a rotatable head provided with clothes-engag ing, means, oscillatory means operable by the reciprocation of said dasher to rotate said head, a single-acting fluid motor operable to'raise'said dasher, lever mechanism intermediate of said motor and dasher acting to vary the force. appliedby the motor to the dasher during the motor-actuated movement thereof in correlationxto the resistance of the dasher and a spring-actuated instrumeiitalitv acting upon said dasher with progressively increasing force duringt-lie downward movement of said dasher.

13. -A washing machine comprising a tub, a dasher including a dasher-bar and a ro- 'tatabl'e head mounted thereon and located within said tub, "means for reciprocating said dasher vertically, means'for rotating said head during the upward movement of the dasher including a frictional instrumenmay mounted uponfsaid head capable of permitting slippage if substantial resistance is imposed against the rotative 'movement of said 'dasher'head.

v 14;.A washing machine comprising a tub,

a dasher, including a dasher bar and aroramble head mounted thereon and located within-said tub, means for recip ocating said dasher vertically, means for imparting rotative movementcto said 'dEISllGIllGHCl including an oscillatory devicemounted upon said head, and frictional clutch members respectively upon said oscillatory device and saidhead operable to rotate said head only during the upwardmovement ofsaid dasher.

' 15. A Washing machine having a dasher comprising a dasher; bar and a rotatable dasher head mounted thereon, means for reciprocatingsaid dasher vertically,atoothed sector pivotally mounted on said dasher bar having a pivotally mounted arm, a sleeve rotatable on said dasher bar having teeth engaging said sector and (so-operating frictional members carried respectively by said sleeve and said head and cau's'edto engage during the movement of said dasher to r0- *tate said head in one direction.

16. A Washing machine having a dasher comprising a dasher bar and" a rotatable having teeth engaging said sector, frictional members on said sleeve spaced apart from each other and a co-op erating frictional member on said head intermediate vof the I '60 frictional members upon said sleeve acting to engage one ofthe frictional members on saidsleeve upon downward movement of the dasher to cause rotation ofthe head in one direction and the "other of said frictional memberson said sleeve upon the upward movementto rotate said head in the opposite direction.

17; A washing machine having a vertically reciprocable dasher comprising a dasherjbarand a rotatable head located at the lower end thereof having-a plurality of suction cups, means for imparting rotative movement to said head including an oscillatory deviceand frictional clutch members respectively upon said oscillatory device and '75 said head actingduring the upward movement of said (ltlSllGl to rotate said head.

18. A washing machine having a vertically reciprocable dasher comprising a dasher bar and a rotatable head havinga '80 plurality of suction cups provided with valves operable to open upon downward movement and to close upon upward movement of said dasher, atoothed sector pivotally mountedupon' said dasher bar having'85 a pivotally mounted arm, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said dasher bar having teeth engaging saidisector and co-operating fricitio'nal members carriedrespectively by said sleeve and head and caused to engage only '50 during the reciprocation of said dasher to impart rotation to saidhead.

- 19. A wash-ing'niachine having a vertically reciprocating dasher comprising a dasher bar and a rotatable head having a plurality of suction cups provided with valves operable to open upon downward movement and to close upon upward movement of said dasher, a single-acting fiuicL motor operable to move said dasherin one 700 direction, a leverage system intermediate of said'motor anddasher to vary the force applied by the motor to-the dasher during the motor-actuated movement thereof in correlation to the resistanceimposed upon the 1110- T05 tor by the movementof said dasher, a spring-actuated instrumentality acting with progressively increasing force upon said dasher during its downward movement, I means for impartingrotativeniovement to said head including an oscillatory device and frictionalclutch members respectively "upon said oscillatory device and said head acting to transmit rotative movement to said head during the reciprocating movement of the dasher. I

' 20. A washing machine having a verticall'y .reciprocable dasherf comprising a dasher barand a rotatable head having a plurality of suction cups provided with valves ope able to open upon downward movement and to close upon upward movement of said dasher, means for raisingsaid dasher, a lever pivotally connected to said dasher bar and having a fixed fulcrum at a 1175 distance therefrom, an arm extending at an angle to the axis of said lever in the plane of its movement, a spring-actuated instrumentality mounted upon a fixed pivot and. ha *ing means engaging "said arm at a dis- 139 tance :irom the axis oi said lever whereby the line oi direction through which the force oi? the spring is applied to said lever will move toward and from the fulcrum of said lever during the reciprocation of said dasher, a toothed sector on said lever, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said dasher bar having teeth engaging said sleeve and cooperating frictional members respectively upon said sleeve and head caused to engage during the reciprocation of said dasher and thereby to impart rotative movement to said head.

21. A washing machine having a verti eally reciprocable dasher, a single-acting fluid motor operable to move the dasher in one direction comprising a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, means connecting said piston with said dasher, inlet and outlet valves for said cylinder, means connecting said valves to cause reverse opening and closing movements oi: the respective valves and means operable by the vertical reciprocation of said dasher to actuate said valves and resilient means acting to move the dasher in the opposite direction.

22. A washing machine having a vertically ici'riproeable dasher, a single acting fluid motor operable to move the dasher in one direction comprising a cylinder and a pisston reciprocabie therein, means connecting said piston with said dasher, inlet and outlet valves for said cylinder, a reciprocable member connected to said valves, springaetuated members operable to move said reciproeable member in opposite directions and a rocker connected to said dasher rod having means for controlling the action of said spring-actuated members upon said reciprocable member and acting to prevent movement Off said valves until said dasher has approached the limits of its upward and downward movements respectively.

23. A washing machine having a vertical- 1y leciproable dasher, a single-acting l'luid motor operable to move the dasher in one dir clion comprising a cylinder and a piston reciprocablc therein, means connecting said piston with said dasher, inlet and outlet valves for said cylinder, a reciprocable member connected to said valves, a pair of members connected. by a spring and operable respectively to move said reciprocable member in opposite directions, a rocker connected to said dasher and having means engaging said spring-artuatcd members actiug to render the spring elicctive alternately upon each of said members and co-operating means upon said rocker and reciprocating member for preventing movement oi said valves until the dasher has approached the limits of its upward and downward movements respectively.

Bl. A washing machine having a vertically rcciprocable dasher, a singleacting fluid motor operable to move the dashor in one direction comprising a pylinder and a piston reciprocable therein. means connecting said piston with said dasher, inlet and outlet valves for said cylinder, means ineluding a bell crank lever connecting the valve stems of said valves, the exhaust valve having a limited free movement on its stem enabling said exhaust valve to close in ad *auce of the opening of said inlet valve thereby etl'ecting a saving in the amount of i'iuid required to operate the motor.

A washing machine having a dasher and a single-acting fluid motor operable to move the dasher in one direction comprising a casing, valve mechanism in said casing, means operable by the movement of said dasher to control said valve mechanism, a cylinder detachably secured to said casing and a piston for said cylinder removably A connected to said dasher whereby cylinders and pistons of different sizes may be employed :li'or dillerent fluid pressures.

26. A washing machine comprising a tub, a dasher comprising a head located within said tub and provided with a plurality of vaccum cups, each cup having an arm pivotally mounted upon said head, resilient means for permitting each cup carrying arm to yield independently and means for re ciprocating said dasher.

2'7. A washing machine having a dasher comprising a dasher bar, a head including a plate, independent arms pivotally mounted on said plate, suction cups upon the respective arms and resilient means mounted on said plate engaging the respective arms acting normally to force said arms into engagement with said plate and to permit independent yielding movement of each of said cup carrying arms.

28. A washing machine having a dasher con'iprising a dashcr bar, a head including a plate, independent arms pivotally mounted on said plate, suction cups upon the respective arms and resilient means mount-- ed on said plate engaging the respective arms acting normally to force said arms into engagement with said plate and to permit independent yielding IIIOVOlI'lGlliL of each of said cup carrying arms and means for rotating said head including a. frictional instrumentality mounted on said. head capable of permittingslippage if substantial resistance against rotative movement is encountcrcd by said suction cups.

E29. A washing machine comprising a casing, a reciprocable dasher and means for actuating said dashcr, means for securing the casing to a wash tub capable oi permitting relative vertical movement between said casing and tub whereby the casing may be raised upon engagement of the dafihcr with unduc' resistance within the tu the washing machine to be raised bodily when resistance is encountered by the dasher greater than the weight of the casing and 10 dasher-actuating mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification;

EMILE o. REUTLINGER. 

